This is the only time you should feed arborvitae because doing so at the wrong time of the year could help encourage the plants to put energy into growing instead of into the root system. Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is hardy across USDA zones 2 to 8 and is most commonly planted. Because arborvitae are native to North America, the shrubs and trees do just fine without fertilizing. Both are broadly tolerant of a wide range of soil and climate conditions, but perform best in well-drained, loamy soil with a fairly neutral pH. If your arborvitae is planted among your azaleas, near your blueberries or hydrangeas, go ahead and fertilize it with the Miracid. He is currently pursuing an accelerated master's degree in applied geography at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Shrubs: Shrubs are a bit easier to fertilize than trees, since there is no digging required. When applying the fertilizer, ensure that the soil around the plant is well watered. This plant is an acid loving option which is easy to care for. Acid loving plants list is endless, therefore l am going to mention just a few of them; Blueberries ; There are beautiful to look at and have a great taste too. The #1 choice for feeding hollies, azaleas, camellias, evergreens, dogwoods, rhododendrons & more! For advanced gardeners, you can do a soil test before applying fertilizer. Use one cup of fertilizer for every foot of branch diameter. Note: Arborvitae and boxwoods are not acid-loving evergreens, so use Plant-tone instead. It is also tolerant of deep shade, setting it apart from other evergreens that do best with more sun exposure. Although rarely mentioned, finding out that your soil is alkaline also can be good news, because there are some plants that grow especially well on alkaline soils. The grass in the corner is dormant here in Montana this time of year, but it was also frozen in ice for a bit, due to this years conditions, so it may have a problem. It is also important to site your arborvitae well. Small flowering perennials, shrubs, ground covers, and even trees can thrive in acidic soil. Havent checked for mites, but I will. It could lead to fertilizer burn on young plants with root systems that are shallow and not yet developed. Long lasting, slow-release feeding with our exclusive Bio-tone Microbes. We do not recommend using Miracle Grow on arborvitaes because it is designed for acid loving plants, not evergreens. Most ideal fruits to plant in acidic soil. Some varieties are also very fast growing, and make perfect privacy hedges, wind breaks, and natural borders. Consistently dry soils or areas that are densely shaded are not conducive to healthy growth. If the plant looks sick, do not turn to fertilizer. Acid-loving and acid-tolerating plants come in a variety of sizes. Highly acidic soils can be neutralized to the desired pH with lime or dolomite. Similar to trees, the amount of fertilizer used is based on how big the shrub is. Fertilizing arborvitae is very easy. Newly planted arborvitae should not be fertilized. Other plants well-suited to acid soil and our hot and dry Valley climate are junipers and arborvitae. Prior to planting, a soil test will identify your soil's pH. And the Arborvitaes are exceptional performers , adaptable to a variety of soil conditions and weather extremes. Acid-Loving Flowers, Trees & Shrubs. Privets can be classified as preferring a slightly acidic soil, but true acid-loving plants need a pH below 6.0. In the South, a late summer into September application would be about right. It will also help encourage green leafy foliage and speed up the growth rate each year. are evergreen members of the cedar family and are native to the eastern two-thirds of North America. Miracid is widely used as a way to fertilize acid-loving plants, such as azaleas and rhododendrons. 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